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  • Where Has The Kampung Spirit Gone To In Singapore?

    Where Has The Kampung Spirit Gone To In Singapore?

    What has become of Singapore?

    Have we successfully evolved to become a society of binary minded beings, where the mind only sees Ones and Zeros in our day to day living?

    A neighbour of mine is in the middle of shifting out and like most of us living in high rise HDB flats, we get help from movers. By all logical thinking for accessibility, the lorry driver temporarily parked the vehicle he was driving on a No Parking lot that has a concrete gradual slope making it easy for the workers to push trolleys of heavy furniture and boxes.

    Then came along a parking warden demanding the vehicle be moved while workers were in the middle of loading the lorry. According to him, someone called to complaint and there are white lots nearby (buffered by a metre and a half divider of drainage, grasspatch and tree roots) where the lorry can park. This is very strange because according to my neighbour, there wasn’t anyone obstructed by the vehicle (there is another sloping no parking access 10 mtrs to the right) thus it is either the person who made the complaint (if any) is irrational or the warden lied about it.

    In any case, what is the issue here? Firstly, there is no loading and unloading bay in a HDB carpark, secondly, the move was done outside peak hours, thirdly this is a one off event (just like weddings, funerals, elections…). My take is that the warden is one that may not be living in a HDB flat, has no discretionary capacity and has successfully evolved into a mechanical enforcer like judge dredd.

    This is perhaps another of the many examples that appear over the net week in week out reflecting the evolution of Singapore society. Especially in the last 10 years, it does seem that Singapore has lost its compassionate soul that has for many decades long before independence allowed multi ethnicity to thrive and blend its own Singapura flavour.

    To the leaders of Singapore, do note that The Kampong Spirit is not simply a slogan to rally and move your constituents to do what your boardroom committee draw up. Military dictators achieve the same effect through propaganda. Where Kampong spirit exist, neighbours would have gathered to help out in the moving process and bid a heartfelt farewell to the leaving neighbour. Today, this neighbour of mine might just have had a bitter memory imprinted on their last day in the neighbourhood.

    P.s. If only I know the number to the Ghostbusters… I would have called them to get rid of the imposter Kampong Spirit…

     

    Source: Rafiz Hapipi

  • New Report On Iraq Invasion Raises Questions Around Singapore’s Involvement

    New Report On Iraq Invasion Raises Questions Around Singapore’s Involvement

    In 2003, Singapore deployed servicemen, ships and aircraft to the Persian Gulf in support of the Iraq war, as part of a mission to “maintain security” and to see Iraq achieve self-government through a political transition.

    Singapore was officially part of the Multinational Force — Iraq (MNF-I) from then until 2008, with the Defence Ministry describing it as supporting “reconstruction efforts” in Iraq.

    The Government publicly showed its support for the US-led invasion of Iraq, in what is perceived as it acting without the mandate of the United Nations Security Council. On March 14, 2003, in response to questions raised by Members of Parliament, then Foreign Minister, Professor S Jayakumar, asserted that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction.

    Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and President Tony Tan (then Defence Minister) issued similar statements asserting the legitimacy of the invasion of Iraq.

    Earlier this month, on July 6, the Report of the Iraq Inquiry was published by the United Kingdom and it seriously questioned any purported justifications for the invasion. The report unanimously concluded that peaceful options for disarmament had not been exhausted and therefore, military action was not a last resort.

    Significantly, the report also concluded that “(t)here was no imminent threat from Saddam Hussein”.

    The effects of the illegal invasion of Iraq were devastating, and continue to be so. Between March and April 2003 alone, 6,882 civilian deaths were caused by US-led forces. Even today, Iraq may be viewed as entering a phase that could prove every bit as destabilising — perhaps even more so — than the war against the Islamic State.

    But the report also raises important questions for Singapore: Was the Government independently satisfied of the factual and legal basis for invading Iraq, or did it take the US’ word for it, as the UK did?

    Did the Government feel compelled, as Tony Blair did, to stand together with an important ally? How does our involvement square with our oft-stated principle of acting according to the rule of international law?

    The answer is important not only because it goes to the heart of our foreign and defence policy, but also because Singaporean lives were put on the line. Singaporean assets deployed to support the illegal invasion of Iraq were withdrawn only in March 2005.

    With respect to the democratic values of accountability and transparency in government, and for the rule of law, I appeal to the Singapore Government to address these issues in Parliament.

    As our elected representatives, the decisions made by our Government reflect our entire nation. As a member of the global community, the devastation of the Iraq invasion is a responsibility borne by us all.

     

    Source: TODAYOnline

  • Revising Your Studies? These Two Did It At A Mosque

    Revising Your Studies? These Two Did It At A Mosque

    Saw this secondary students from a neighbouring school near the mosque.

    The first reaction i felt was, “masyaAllah”. Two buddies, in a mosque, one is revising school work while the other is reciting the Quran.

    How having good companies around you play a major role in your struggles in this world.

    May Allah broaden their knowledge and love for each other and may they grow up to be a contributing role models for the betterment of our ummah.

    “The example of a good companion (friend) in comparison with a bad one is like that of one who sells musk and the blacksmith. From the first, you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell, while from the blacksmith you would either get burned or smell a bad scent.” Saheeh Al-Bukhari

    FB: Adzan Khairuddin

     

    Source: JOM

  • Racial Harmony Alive In Singapore: Multiracial Effort Helped Old Man Who Fell Off From Bike

    Racial Harmony Alive In Singapore: Multiracial Effort Helped Old Man Who Fell Off From Bike

    What happened last night reaffirmed my beliefs that RACIAL HARMONY is still strong in Singapore !

    About 7:30pm last night, I was about to chase a bus back home at Elias CC. Then a woman yelled “that old man fell down”
    My wife and I turned and we saw that an old man fell off his bike. We got nearer by walking and realized he was bleeding. It then turned into a sprint.

    I yelled to my wife to call the ambulance while I dug my bag for a shirt. I immediately applied pressure on his head where he was bleeding from. He was shivering and muttering. I continued applying pressure and carried him up to sit at the ledge. At that point of time all I could think of is to stop his bleeding as it has already went down to his shirt.

    Out of nowhere, a few passer by came by to help.
    1) a Chinese woman shielded the old man with an umbrella while asking the old man for his family member’s contact.
    2) a Malay man came to us and took the old man’s bicycle aside (it was still in front of me)
    3) An Indian man rushed to the nearest clinic and called the doctor to help
    4) a Bangladeshi man stood behind me to shield me and the old man from the rain while I was still applying pressure.

    The scary part to me was holding the shirt and feeling it getting heavier and warmer. I didn’t want to apply too much till I hurt the uncle nor do I want to be too soft till blood keeps flowing.

    Shortly after, the doctor that the Indian man went to get, came down. He came with an assistant. I relieved my position and the doctor covered the old man’s wound with a gauze. While this was happening :

    1) Malay man was constantly looking out for the ambulance
    2) the Chinese woman got a hold of the old man’s family and comforted the old man that they are on their way
    3) the Indian man gave his wet tissues to my wife so she could wipe blood of the old man’s hand and face
    4) the Bangladeshi man was still using his umbrella to cover the old man and also the doctor

    Like what it seems to be forever, the ambulance finally came. Bringing the old man and his grandson to the hospital.

    I don’t even know the names of the people who helped me last night but I was truly touched and moved by the unconditional help by our fellow Singaporeans (and Foreign help!!)

    What gave me hope that the uncle can make it was that he was even asking for his bicycle when he was being put on the ambulance ?

    Thank you my wife Jenny Insyirah Farhanah Lim for calling the ambulance and aided them to come to the exact location. Then also helping the uncle wipe off the blood on his face and hands.

    But most of all, to those people who rushed down and help, thank you very much. I am extremely touched (‘:

     

    Source: Khairul Farhan

  • Singapore Library Users Have Phobia Of Other Library Users Who Don’t Return Borrowed Books

    Singapore Library Users Have Phobia Of Other Library Users Who Don’t Return Borrowed Books

    Dear Madam, please continue to have a phobia of borrowing books so the rest of us won’t be deprived of library books from late returns.

    The library system sent you reminders and the library officer even gave you a discount on your fine. And you still complain.

    When my kids were late in returning their books last time, I made them pay the fines from their allowance. It taught them to return books on time very quickly. You should try it.

    The authorities DO have a proper system for helping library users. It’s called fining people like you so that the rest of us won’t have to put up with less books to borrow.

    Either wake up your idea and park your sense of entitlement, or stop going to the public library.

    Yours sincerely,
    mrbrown, Public Library Lover

     

    Source: mrbrown

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